UConn vs Illinois Odds
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 154.5 -110o / -110u | -450 |
| Illinois Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 154.5 -110o / -110u | +350 |
The Final Four is more well-known, but I'd argue the Elite Eight has a better track record of producing all-time classic games.
Played in better, basketball-sized environments, Elite Eight games feature teams playing their best at the most critical time of the year. At stake is a trip to the tournament's final weekend.
In the Connecticut Huskies' bid for a repeat championship, there's a real chance their most challenging and fun test will come in this round, as the Illinois Fighting Illini are standing in their way.
Here's an Illinois vs. UConn pick and prediction in our NCAAB Elite Eight betting guide.
Connecticut Huskies
If Connecticut keeps dominating at this level, we can soon stop comparing it to the other teams in the tournament but to the other great teams of the past.
The Huskies have one loss since Christmas, going 12-2 ATS in their last 14 games.
This team isn't just winning, but it's dismantling the competition.
That doesn't mean UConn will waltz to a national title. While we should expect that, we play the games for a reason.
There are ways to upset the Huskies.
San Diego State's best stretches of the Sweet 16 game came from forcing UConn into jump shots, hoping for cold shooting. For the back half of the first half, Donovan Clingan couldn't get to his spots and was missing bunnies around the hoop before picking up a second foul.
The Aztecs started controlling Tristen Newton as a driver and picking up cutters in the paint. Only Cam Spencer was finding ways to score, often with tough floaters and jumpers in the mid-range.
If a team can do that for a longer stretch than San Diego State did, and Connecticut's jumpers don't fall, the door creaks open.
It's hard to imagine that happening for an entire 40-minute game, given how patient UConn is while playing in Dan Hurley's uber-structured offense. The Huskies don't force shots in isolation; they run long, complicated sets that put their players into positions to generate smart one-on-one attacks.
Connecticut isn't going to forget its offensive identity for 60-plus possessions.
Illinois Fighting Illini
March is often about teams peaking at the right time. Illinois is doing that, having only lost once this month — at home to Purdue.
Brad Underwood's ability to adjust throughout the season has been critical.
The Illini survived when Terrence Shannon Jr. was sidelined with a suspension but are now maximizing his output, and he's been one of the best players in the NCAA Tournament.
Marcus Domask has been empowered to facilitate the offense. After averaging 3.2 assists in Illinois' first 25 games, he's notched 5.4 assists since mid-February.
Perhaps the most significant adjustment has been the re-emergence of Dain Dainja as an offensive weapon.
The powerful big man only averaged 3.1 points in six minutes per game from January 1 to February 24 (15 games). In the Illini's last 10, he's up to 9.1 points in 15 minutes per game, including some standout performances.
His bully ball around the rim offers Illinois a change of pace, giving the Illini a curveball during cold shooting stretches.
If there's a concern, it's the lousy defense.
That said, it hasn't mattered yet, with the Illini winning the Big Ten Tournament and starting this run in the Big Dance by simply pouring points on the board, topping 1.28 points per possession in four straight wins.
UConn vs Illinois
Betting Prediction, Pick
Some things make Illinois an intriguing matchup for UConn.
Multiple attacking ball handlers like Domask and Shannon should test the Connecticut guards defensively, while the pairing of Coleman Hawkins and Dainja should give Clingan plenty to think about.
The Illini's second-ranked offense can score in spurts that could keep this game in reach or challenge the Huskies for 40 minutes.
At this point, however, it's impossible to pick against Connecticut without a laughable spread.
The Huskies have won nine straight NCAA Tournament games by double-digit margins. When they go cold, as they did late in the first half of the Sweet 16 game against San Diego State, the Huskies find a way to survive and produce a knockout punch.
Connecticut's success is starting to look historic.
If you can talk yourself into another outcome, go ahead. I'll be expecting and betting on big Husky wins for the rest of this tournament.
Pick: UConn -9.5 or Better
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